28.11.2025 – Eye spy

What a treat we were in for this morning on the Atlantic Ocean. Apart from having the pleasure of enjoying observations of two of Madeira’s most important predators, the Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), we had some exciting surface behaviour going on!

While they vary in their social structure and other aspects of their lives, both species are considered extremely social and can get quite curious during an observation. Like all other toothed whales they rely on acoustics to navigate and explore their underwater environment but, at the surface, these dolphins often resort to their vision. Bottlenose dolphins often lift their heads while they are swimming to take a peek at their admirers..and they can see us surprisingly well! They are known to have sharp vision with independently moving eyes on either sides of their heads, giving them a great panoramic view of their surface environment. Scientists even debate on whether the species has colour vision!

Pilot whales go about their moments of curiosity in a different way; they assume a vertical position, balancing their bodies using their flippers and maintaining their head above the surface. This behaviour is known as “spy-hopping” and is one of the most delightful things to experience during a sighting. Like most other cetaceans, the species has good low-light vision so even they enjoy exploring the surface using their vision. This morning we were surrounded by spy-hopping pilot whales, something I hadn’t experienced so far in my whale-watching career..it was wonderful!

We enjoyed more of these social encounters in the afternoon tours with both species, wrapping up an absolutely fabulous day!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:30  Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales